Autos go on flash strike, want to ply till Nariman Point

MUMBAI, April 2: Students appearing for examinations in the city had a tough time commuting to their exam centres today after auto drivers all over the city went on a one-day flash strike.

The auto drivers are demanding that they be allowed to ply up to Colaba and Nariman Point. Other demands include a ban on eight-seater autos from plying within municipal limits all over the state and stopping Bombay Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking’s late night bus services which they claim affects their services. They are also demanding a social security scheme for automen similar to one available to mathadi workers. Restricted from entering South Mumbai, autos are allowed to ply only between Bandra and Dahisar. This has led to congestion in the suburbs and prevents more autos from coming on the roads, say the auto unions.

Auto unions held a demonstration at Azad Maidan this afternoon. Later a delegation from the unions met State Transport Minister Chandrakant Khaire and urged him to lift the ban onautos from plying in South Mumbai.

Story continues below this ad

Led by Municipal Mazdoor Union leader Sharad Rao and Shankar Salvi of the Bombay Autorickshawmen’s union, the delegation comprised other unions like the Pune Rickshaw Union’s led by Baba Adav and auto unions from Sangli, Ichalkaranji, Aurangabad and Solapur.

The meeting with the minister continued at the time of going to the press.